On the OP, I received my first update in nearly 3 months (at least) from the old bill the other day on the theft of my 90 back in January, and that was despite me calling for an update - didn't even get an acknowledgement of that at the time. Anyway, detective did apologise when he rang the other day as they're supposed to get back to you within 30 days. End result, it takes a while for the DNA on the recovered tools to be processed and each request has to be put forward (according to him) with a suspect's name to see if there's a match. No match, start again.
He reiterated that in their opinion it was an organised theft and still an ongoing investigation due to 4 being stolen across Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland in a short space of time along with mine. No-one's been caught or charged yet but in his words they're still 'actively looking.' I was 'lucky' and got mine back (bit of a mess but hey ho) but there are lessons to be learned:
Police informed me when I asked them on the morning of the theft about cctv, that
they do NOT track the vehicle on cctv.
They will use the ANPR system and if your vehicle doesn't ping a traffic camera or ANPR you're stuffed. Even if it does, when they go to cctv in the area near the ANPR cam it's pinged and don't see the vehicle they won't do any more as (again so I was told) how would they know which of the multiple directions and cameras to start tracking from (seems to work for other things, thinks I, but that's besides the point).
They'll get into any older Landy in multiple ways so any and every device that slows down the amount of time it takes for them to get it rolling and/or get it started may just end up making it too much trouble for them.
Your local Community Police officer can give you free advice and links to a range of security devices and how to fit them, and cams to install, including motion detector trail cams, audio devices that alert the thief they're on cam, remote links to your mobile or pc that also trigger an alarm and trackers that will allow you to then follow the vehicle's movements. Even ground locks for the wheels (just use by themselves though and you might wake up to a wheel sitting forlornly in the driveway!).
Recovery of anything the thief might have handled is no guarantee they'll be caught and if they are, unless you've got a clear print, it's a slow process to match thief to evidence so
mark your stuff, anything and everything, engine, seats, bolt on extras, the works so that
if it's recovered in someone else's vehicle or house then the plod have cause to pursue them.
And no,
the old bill DON'T come running when you call to tell them your precious tratter's been nicked. I rang about 2 hours after mine was nicked (worked out when between the time the other half left for work and I looked out the window at the rear of the house where you could see the 90...gone) and they said they'd send someone round the NEXT DAY. Gotta be kdding says I, they can't be far. After some persistence they eventually agreed to send someone round that afternoon, not exactly top of the list when it comes to crime busting (and I don't live in a city and the streets aren't exactly awash with muggers, terrorists or escaped lunatics). Lackadaisical statement taken with the repeated assurance that "I'd probably never see it again" which was pretty distressing as I had a large amount of stuff in the back, a lot of it of sentimental as well as monetary value.
Once they realised that it was one of several stolen I was told that a detective was now in charge and would be in touch meanwhile a statement would be taken. Hang on, I've already done that thinks I, but this time there was a lot more detail and a more 'conscientious' on the ball attitude so
if you're aware of more LR thefts in your area inform the cops, you might get it back if they do some joined up thinking. Mine was found in another county by Council workers who called their plod who, after a while, spotted its details on some kind of stolen vehicle register shared by the police.
After reporting asap to the police
post details of the theft on every social media site/LR related site you can think of, tell everybody you know, ring scrapyards and garages that deal in 4x4s and if you see a copper or a cop car and get the chance tell them as well. I spotted a couple of cops pulled in to the side of the road, stopped and told 'em (I was out looking for mine that evening at places I'd been told might just have the odd nicked part or vehicle lying around, and yes, possibly a bit daft but also yes, I was prepared and accompanied
), turns out they had no details so put it in their notebook for when they were out and about. Anything and everything proactive you can do might just get your vehicle back. I also visited pubs in the local area and put the word out, dangling a small reward. I got it back, abandoned in a ditch bit the worse for wear but repairable. Make it really difficult for them from the get go to hang on to it.
I agree with hippo,
no-one else will care about your Landy getting nicked as much as you (although I found an awful lot of people willing to help look for it) and no-one else is responsible for preventing it getting nicked but you...lesson I've learned.
So get some security on it. I don't park in the same place, I park in a more difficult spot to get out of with extra visible security and 'covert' security. I aim to put grilles on the rear windows too as that's how they got in - pushed in the small window at the side of the rear door, reached in and unlocked it, so if you ain't going in via the back door padlock it as well from the inside and if you've got a dog guard up they're not getting into the cab from the back either.
Pass details of stolen LRs in your area to your Community Police officer so they can be aware if a pattern starts to emerge. Vehicle thefts don't always filter down the chain to cops who might be out and about like the two I spoke to.
Hope that stops someone from getting theirs nicked.
